A bad children’s museum is hard to come by. I’ve seen quite a few all across the country and they have all been pretty good. Yes, they all have their special attributes but at the end of the day, it’s a place to play and you can hardly go wrong with that.
However.
An excellent children’s museum is a much rarer breed. I realized this when I visited Explora with my nephews a few years back. And no, it’s not just because it’s in Albuquerque, NM. Anyone who knows me knows it takes a lot for anything in Albuquerque to impress me (I’m a Santa Fe kind of girl). On a recent trip to Baltimore, our good friends took us to Port Discovery where the kids played their rainy-day blues away and where this momma not only ooooed and awwwed over the variety of exhibits, it’s where I remembered that all children’s museums are not created equal. Port Discovery is in this special league of Excellent children’s museums. Let me whet your appetite:
- It’s walking distance from Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. Translation: if you’re visiting Baltimore, you’re probably visiting the Inner Harbor. If it’s too hot, too cold, too wet or too anything outside – Port Discovery is a hop, skip and a jump away.
- It’s a children’s museum that appeals to a wide age range. Many museums we’ve been to seem to struggle with this. Port Discovery really seems to have figured out how to have enough for little ones to do -and- things that are still cool enough for the big kids (like KidWorks, an urban tree house we’re yet to explore)
- It’s a big museum with LOTS to do. We’ve been there 3 times now (which isn’t all that much, but…) we have some favorite exhibits, but we also haven’t done everything yet! Seems we’re still finding something new to do everytime we visit. So far, here’s our list of favorites:
The Convenience Store & Fill Up Station – Kids get to shop in a kid-size grocery store, be the cashier, re-stock the shelves and then imagine driving home in a VW Beetle, after they fill it up with gas, of course.
Tiny’s Diner - Definitely the highlight every time! Sit at a booth or a counter seat, grab a menu and be prepared for your kids to wait on you! With a kid-size kitchen that’s fully stocked with play food and dishes, on a busy day it’s like watching organized chaos. Somehow it works and works well.
Tot Trails – This new space is super snazzy! The last time we were at Port Discovery, I remember thinking their toddler area could use some updating. Guess I wasn’t the only one with that idea! It’s now been completely remodeled and updated and is super duper fabulous. Sandbox, light wall, squishy cushions, texture walls, toys and more.
The Oasis - We found this tucked-away room on our most recent visit. It’s a space perfect for taking a breather. Play a board game, read some books or sit in a quiet place to nurse the baby.
Bring your own lunch and plan on spending a good long time at Port Discovery the next time you’re in Baltimore. The kids won’t be disappointed and boy, will they sleep well that night.
the essentials:
Baltimore, 35 Market Place, #410.727.8120
Open Tues-Fri 9:30am-4:30pm; Sat 10am-5pm; Sun 12pm-5pm
Admission is $12.95 for adults and children 2+, FREE for children under 2
